Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
